1878.] Ujfalvy''s Geographical BesearcJies in Turhistan. 23 



"The third zone, of less extent than the preceding, is generally stony 

 and sometimes covered with moorland and even with sand. Here and 

 there attempts have been made to reclaim by cultivation some o£ the land 

 from its primitive barrenness, and these attempts have succeeded fairly well, 

 seeing that the soil is everywhere fit for ploughing. Usbegs and Kipchaks 

 are the few inhabitants of this tract. 



" The fom^th zone, situated on the most fertile slopes of the mountains, 

 is, to my mind, the most beautiful part of Farghana, enjoying all the 

 advantages of a warm climate, while scarcely suffering any of its inconve- 

 niences. 



" It is the tract that would be most suited for an European colony. It 

 is inhabited almost exclusively by Tajiks who have often entirely preserved 

 the purity of their race. Usbegs and Kipchaks are to be found in small 

 numbers and the Karakirghiz occasionally settle down there. Isfara, 

 Wadil, Uch-Kurghan, and Naukat to tha south j Kasan and Tus to the 

 north are its principal agricultural and commercial centres. ^ 



" The fifth zone, that of the valleys, mountains, hill slopes and plateaux, 

 often presents a somewhat barren appearance, especially when the burning 

 sun of these parts has burnt up the vegetation, but vast grassy steppes are 

 also frequently to be found, which offer excellent ^sustenance to the flocks 

 of the Karakirghiz, and neighbouring races of Usbegs and Tajiks. It is 

 the home of the Karakirghiz who move about there in all liberty. 



" The sixth zone, finally, is the most elevated and the most picturesque, 

 but at the same time the most desolate. In this zone are situated the 

 numerous routes, passes and defiles which lead into Semiretche, Kashgaria, 

 Karatigin, and the government of the Syr-Daria. It is, however, specially 

 interesting from a commercial and strategical point of view. Lapis-lazuli 

 amethyst, rock-crystal, naptha, salt, coal and mineral springs are to be 

 found there. When at some early future time, all the resources of the 

 country are laid under contribution, this region will equally be called upon 

 to render notable services to the national industry. 



" I have already given the Anthropological Society numerous details 

 regarding the inhabitants of Farghana, and I reserve bringing this ques- 

 tion before the Greographical Society until I shall be able to present to 

 them the little ethnographical map of these regions I am now compiling. 



" As regards archaeology there is little to be said considering the extent 

 of the country. I have, however, succeeded in finding some places which 

 appeared rather interesting. I excavated a Kurgan (tumulus) in the envi- 

 rons of Marghilan, but unsuccessfully, only finding some fragments of pot- 

 tery, glass beads, &c., and bones of no value whatever. 



" The Takht-i-Suliman at Osh is more interesting for its picturesqueness 

 than for its archaeology, and the numerous mosques arid madrasahs of 



